Throughout the pandemic, it has become clear that COVID-19 disproportionately impacts communities that are made marginalized. In Humber River-Black Creek, one of Toronto’s worst-hit neighbourhoods, the Black Creek Community Health Centre mobilized to provide accessible testing options. A series of public pop-up testing clinics are available across Ward 7.
“These clinics are making testing accessible for families in the Jane-Finch community and beyond. As we know, this corner of the city has been hardest hit by COVID-19. The work of the Black Creek Community Health Centre, Toronto Public Health, Lumacare, CMHA and others have been tremendously helpful in securing testing. We must continue to push for more.” Said local City Councillor Anthony Perruzza in regards to the pop-ups.
“The pop-up COVID-19 testing clinics are an important resource. We have been working with partners to provide testing in accessible spaces to our community.” Shared Michelle Westin of the Black Creek Community Health Centre. “At these clinics, residents are able to connect with our Community Health Workers and access supports, such as applying for financial assistance and food programs. For us, it’s not just about testing, but addressing the social determinants of health.”
Her comments speak to the need for targeted health outreach in the Black Creek community, something advocates have been asking for and which City Council recently moved a motion to provide.
“We are now working with community outreach ambassadors to help spread the word about COVID-19: how to stay safe from the virus, get tested, what to do if you test positive, and more,” Cheryl Prescod, Executive Director, shared. “It’s important that those most vulnerable to this virus, those who go to work daily to support others - retail and grocery store clerks, transportation workers, child minders, the elderly and sick - get access to testing “
When reached for comment, local MPP Tom Rakocevic emphasized that: “The government's one-size-fits-all approach in dealing with COVID-19 is not working in Northwest Toronto neighbourhoods. We need targeted resources, more mobile testing, more buses, and the establishment of community liaisons to establish meaningful connections with the community and translate information. I continue to advocate for important resources like this.”
More testing dates are continuing to happen in the Downsview and Black creek communities. For more updates and information, visit https://www.bcchc.com/